Notes #1: The Agricultural Revolution

Peasants in the Middle Ages used communal farming . Farmers had to use the King’s common land to survive. Farmers were subsistence farming; meaning farmers grew enough to feed themselves, not to make a profit. Farmers used a three field-system (2 planted; 1 left fallow or empty)

Three-Field System Barley Oats Fallow

There were advantages and disadvantages to this communal system. People worked together No one was given an unfair advantage Created a sense of community Disadvantages: Inefficient crop production Did not encourage experimental farming

Fertilizer is used to renew soil Pioneering Dutch & English farmers help create the Agricultural Revolution by introducing the following changes: Fertilizer is used to renew soil The use of soil mixing resulted in higher crop yields Crop rotation produced larger crops & restored overused soil Jethro Tull developed the seed drill (helped to eliminate seed waste) Farmers develop journals to educate others

The Enclosure Movement The changes in farming resulted in factors that contributed to the Industrial Revolution. The Enclosure Movement This involved nobles taking over the smaller tracts of land to create larger fields. Results: Increased production & profits Large land owners controlled more land & became richer. Fewer workers needed – farmers lose jobs & land Farmers become labor supply for the Industrial Revolution.

The changes in farming resulted in factors that contributed to the Industrial Revolution. 2. Population explosion Immediate reasons: better food production, reduced famine & people eating better and healthier Long term reasons: better hygiene and sanitation, improved medical care, and lower death rate  

3. The population explosion increases demand for manufactured goods The changes in farming resulted in factors that contributed to the Industrial Revolution. 3. The population explosion increases demand for manufactured goods More people meant an increased demand for more shirts, more shoes, more pants, and etc. This demand created opportunities to make a lot of money supplying these goods.